Cigar Connoisseur & Reviewer

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Month: November 2016

Piloto Cigars Inc. is a name synonymous with quality Nicaraguan cigars. The company is well known for its line of full-flavored cigars. Some of their most popular lines include the Anniversary series and the Serie 1926. Over the years, the company has received multiple awards in recognition for Serie 1926.

In 2015, Padron released the Padron Damaso. The name is derived from the company’s current president Jorge Padron’s great-grandfather, Damaso Padron. Damaso was the first in the family to arrive in Cuba and grow tobacco during the 1800s. Although the Damaso is a testament to the company’s willingness to experiment, the quality of the build and construction is still on par with other Piloto cigars.

In terms of form and design, the Padron Damaso has deviated from its predecessors. The Damaso is the first to feature a Connecticut seed wrapper. Although identified as such, the seed wrapper was farmed in Ecuador. This cigar line features a uniform khaki brown hue with three bands. The first marker pays tribute to the Padron signature brand. Much like the company’s band, the Damaso marker features the same unique mix of white and gold with a maroon outline.

Right in between the two markers is the brand’s protective band. In previous years, the Padron line had fallen victim to counterfeits. This second layer is designed to discourage the production of fakes.

Traditionally, Padrons are feature a box-press form. The Damaso is the brand’s first round cigar.

Another stark difference between the Padron Damaso and other offerings by the Piloto Cigars Inc. is the taste. Compared to its predecessors, the Damaso has a milder flavor.

According to an interview with Jorge Padron, the company is using the Damaso to reach out to new markets. With the milder flavor of this cigar, Padron intends to encourage both stogie novices and aficionados to try out the Piloto Cigar brand.

The Damaso comes in four sizes. Each size corresponds to the age of one of the grandkids of Jose Orlando Padron’s grandkids. No. 17 has a length of 7 inches with a 54 ring gauge. There is the popular No. 15 which features a size of 6 inches by 52. Plus there is the No. 12 which a 5 inch length by 50 and lastly the No. 8 with a measurement of 5.5 inches by 46. The No. 15 was used as the basis for this review.

Padron Damaso’s No. 15 feels firm in the hand. Before being lit, a noticeable mix of pepper, grass and earthy smells can be detected.

When toasted and lit, the cigar provides a smooth draw, a peanut smell, a mild buttery flavor with a touch of sweetness at the end. A third of the way, the No. 15 also starts exuding a smell reminiscent of sunflower seeds or cashews. This unique mixture of smells continues throughout the second third.

Around the final third of the cigar, the earthy flavor begins to re-emerge. There is a touch of spice in the aroma, a slight peppery smell. The aroma is evident but not overwhelming. As with other cigars from the Piloto Company, the burn is even from the first to the last draw. In terms of burning time however, the No. 15 can be considered quick.

When smoking the Damaso, it is important not to associate it with Padron’s other cigar lines. Other Padrons feature the box-pressed form. The parejo shape on the Damaso may feel awkward in the hands of loyal Padron fans. Although the Damaso is well made and exudes a milder flavor, the $15 price tag may also deter individuals looking for a good morning cigar. All in all, it is still a good cigar to consider for individuals looking for a milder-bodied cigar or novices trying out their first stogie.

There are a lot of different options when it comes to choosing a great cigar. This might make it tough to choose the right one to smoke. For this reason, I have come up with a list of the best Cuban cigars everyone must try. Therefore, sit down, relax, and go through this list containing nine top Cuban cigars.

Hoyo de Monterrey Double Corona

If a well-rounded, delicious, and long smoke is what you are looking for, then the Hoyo de Monterrey Double Corona is the cigar to smoke. What I loved most about this cigar is its great mix of coffee and cocoa with a subtle spicy aftertaste. On top of the great taste and aftertaste is an excellent burn and an aroma that is superb. All these facts put together is what make this cigar my number one choice for cigars from Cuba that you should try.

Montecristo #2

Among the best cigars in the world is Montecristo #2. This opinion is not mine alone but also of many cigar smokers. This cigar has also been ranked one of the best for a number of years, and because of this, it is used to rank other cigars. This cigar comes in either medium or full body and has a smooth creamy taste with the perfect balance of spice. The Montecristo #2 is my second best cigar and I know you will agree with me after trying it.

Romeo Y Julieta Churchill

The Julieta is another great cigar that I would strongly recommend to any cigar smoker. This cigar is incredibly smooth and has a great flavor. The Romeo, however, is not that strong compared to other Cuban cigars, but has a perfectly smooth draw, a sweet and creamy taste, and is a solid medium body. This cigar is a favorite to many celebrities, therefore, everyone should try it.

Partagas Serie D

Another great cigar that I personally love and would recommend to anyone is the Partagas Serie D. Partagas is a robusto size and has a delicious woody finish that tastes great. This cigar is absolutely fantastic and you should try it too.

Cohiba Behike

The Cohiba Behike is one of the most sought-after cigars in the world. Its high ratings are courtesy of the careful mix of Cuba’s finest aged tobaccos. This cigar is very strong, something that is attributed to Media Tiempo tobacco leaves it contains. Apart from that, this cigar tastes great and I loved it a lot.

Cohiba Lancero

The Cohiba Lancero is a delicious tasting and very smooth cigar. Not only does this cigar taste great, it was also created specifically for Fidel Castro. For this reason, this cigar is seen by many as a choice for truly educated smokers, and it has a huge cult following. Although the Lancero appears thin and frail, it compensates with its world-class craftsmanship.

Bolivar Belicoso

Another great cigar is the Bolivar Belicoso. This cigar has an immensely complex profile and is also very flavorful. The Belicoso emits fruit and spice flavors that precede a woody and floral taste that is experienced immediately after lighting it. It is for these and other reasons that many cigar smokers revere the Belicoso as the best figurado that is full-bodied available today.

H. Upmann Petite Corona

The H. Upmann Petite Corona just as its name suggests is a small-sized cigar. Though it is small in size, this cigar compensates what it lacks in size with a rich memorable flavor. You get to enjoy a great blend of coffee notes and spice when you smoke the H. Upmann. Among its greatest lovers was President J. F. Kennedy. It is said that Kennedy’s love for this cigar was so great that hours before he signed the Cuban embargo, he ordered 1,200 pieces of them.

Montecristo #4

The Montecristo #4 is a medium bodied cigar with a smooth and mellow smoke profile. I particularly enjoy the Montecristo #4 with my coffee in the morning and I would advise you to try it in the morning too. Thanks to its great taste, this cigar is the best-selling cigar from Cuba in the world, therefore, you will love it too.

There are other great tasting Cuban cigars, but these nine are the best and I highly recommend them to you too.